It also marked the end of an unforgettable seven-month chapter for Chief Executive Officer Mathias Ölander, who was given an emotional farewell by the Kahawa Pride family as he prepares to return to Sweden after dedicating himself full-time to the club's growth.

Players, coaches, staff, academy members and club officials came together during the half time break of the match to celebrate a leader whose influence has extended far beyond football.

While his stay in Nairobi lasted just seven months, his journey with Kahawa Pride FC began six years ago and it all started because of one Kenyan footballer. An avid supporter of Swedish club IF Elfsborg, Ölander first became aware of Kenyan defender Joseph Okumu following his move to the Swedish side.

Curious to learn more about Okumu's work beyond the pitch, he followed the defender's activities in Kenya and discovered Kahawa Sportive Soccer Academy, where Okumu was a close friend of the club.

What Ölander found was not simply another grassroots football club, he found a community project using football as a tool for positive social change.

Intrigued, he decided to visit Nairobi again in December 2020 to see the work for himself. That first visit to the club was only supposed to satisfy his curiosity instead, it became the beginning of an extraordinary relationship. Not long after, Ölander was back in Kenya again this time watching the team compete in a pre-season tournament in Nairobi's Eastlands area.

The connection had been made.

From that point onwards, he became one of the driving forces behind one of the most transformative periods in Kahawa Pride FC's history.

Helping Shape a New Identity

As the club evolved, Ölander played a central role in the rebranding of Kahawa Pride FC, helping shape a modern identity that reflected the club's ambitions both on and off the field.

He championed new ideas and encouraged the club to embrace digital storytelling at a level rarely seen in grassroots football. His willingness to think differently led to partnerships that elevated the club's profile far beyond local football.

Among the boldest decisions was bringing JerseyBird as the club's official kit manufacturer, helping create a distinctive identity that supporters quickly embraced.

The club through JerseyBird also launched its documentary-style YouTube series, Road to the Premier League, a project that has since grown into its second season and continues to tell authentic stories from within the club.

Those initiatives significantly expanded Kahawa Pride's online presence and attracted commercial partners that many would once have considered beyond the reach of a regional football club.

Today, the club proudly works alongside partners including Betway Scores and AVA by CR7, relationships built on the professionalism and visibility that have become synonymous with the Kahawa Pride brand. Ölander's impact was never limited to branding and commercial growth, he believed football should create memorable experiences for everyone connected to the club.

Under his leadership, Player of the Match presentations became special occasions that celebrated individual excellence while strengthening the bond between supporters and players.

The club also welcomed international visitors and distinguished guests from different parts of the world, gradually establishing Kahawa Pride as more than just a football club. It became a destination, a place where football, community, culture and hospitality came together.

Perhaps Ölander's greatest contribution cannot be measured through sponsorship agreements, social media growth or new jerseys, it lies in the culture he helped build. Throughout his time with Kahawa Pride, he consistently championed integrity, professionalism and accountability across every level of the organisation.

From administrative structures to player welfare, from communication standards to long-term planning, his influence helped establish systems that continue to shape the club's future.

In January this year, Ölander made perhaps his greatest commitment yet.

He left his job in Sweden and relocated to Nairobi, taking on the role of Chief Executive Officer on a full-time basis to help accelerate the club's development into a professionally run football organization. For the past seven months, he has worked closely with players, coaches, staff and partners to strengthen every aspect of Kahawa Pride FC.

A Farewell, Not Goodbye

Following the Alphas' final match of the season, the Kahawa Pride family gathered to bid farewell to the man whose vision has helped transform the club over the past five years.

As the players headed into halftime during the final league match against Victors Faith Church FC, the afternoon paused to honor a man whose influence has touched every corner of Kahawa Pride FC.

He was given an emotional guard of honor by members of the entire Kahawa Pride family. Players from the Alphas, Lionesses, Mapogo and Cubs, together with coaches, technical staff and club officials, lined up to applaud the CEO whose vision and commitment have helped shape the club's modern identity.

The tribute reflected more than seven months spent in Nairobi, it celebrated nearly five years of unwavering belief in the club and the community it represents. Many of those who formed the guard of honor had witnessed first-hand the opportunities created through his leadership, from improved professional structures and player welfare to enhanced branding, partnerships and the growth of the club's academy pathway.

To mark the occasion, the club presented him with a framed souvenir featuring the first-ever Kahawa Pride FC jersey produced by JerseyBird with the number 80 at the back for his favorite player Glenkeline Githinji a former Kahawa Pride FC player who now plays for 3K FC who have been promoted to the 2026/27 Kenyan Premier League. The iconic shirt symbolized a defining moment in the club's history, representing not only a new visual identity but also the beginning of an ambitious era that saw Kahawa Pride embrace professional standards, strengthen its brand and grow its reach both locally and internationally.

While Ölander now returns to Sweden, the foundations he helped establish remain firmly in place. The professional standards, the club culture, the growing academy pathway, the digital presence, the partnerships and the belief that a community football club can dream bigger than its circumstances all continue because of the work he helped put in place.

His story with Kahawa Pride began with curiosity, it grew through friendship and flourished through shared purpose.

And although this chapter comes to an end, the impact of his leadership will continue to be felt across the club and throughout the Kahawa West community for years to come.

From everyone at Kahawa Pride FC, thank you, Mathias.

Thank you for believing in the dream, for investing in the people behind it, and for helping build a club that continues to inspire both on and off the pitch.